Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 2021 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 2021 were approved as a correct record.

To receive any disclosures of interest from councillors under the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, or contact with applicants/objectors under the Planning Code.

a) Disclosures of interest under the Members’ Code of Conduct

There were none.

b) Declarations of interest under the Council’s Planning Code

Councillors R.A. Smith Ainsley, R.W. Sider BEM, T. Lagden H. Harvey and R. Dunn reported that they had received correspondence in relation to application  20/01506/FUL, Sunbury Cross Ex-Services Association Club. Crossways, Sunbury, TW16 7BG but had maintained an impartial role, had not expressed any views and had kept an open mind. Councillor B.Spoor had received a telephone call in respect of this application but also came to the meeting with an open mind.

Councillors H. Harvey and T. Lagden had received correspondence in relation to application 21/00134/FUL, 115 Feltham Hill Road, & Land at Rear of 113-127 Feltham Hill Road, Ashford but had maintained an impartial role, had

not expressed any views and had kept an open mind.

Councillors R. Dunn, R.A. Smith-Ainsley, H. Harvey and T. Lagden had received correspondence in relation to application 20/00990/FUL, 59 Staines Road West, Sunbury-on-Thames, TW16 7AG but had maintained an impartial role, had not expressed any views and had kept an open mind. Councillor B.Spoor had received a telephone call in respect of this application but also came to the meeting with an open mind.

Councillor H. Harvey advised that she had visited all three sites prior to the Committee meeting.

Ward

Sunbury Common

Proposal

The demolition of the existing Sunbury Ex-Serviceman’s Association Club and re-development of the site including the erection of three residential buildings of 4-storey, 6-storey and 9-storey comprising 69 flats with associated car-parking, cycle storage, landscaping and other associated works.

Officer Recommendation

The application is recommended for refusal.

Description:

The demolition of the existing Sunbury Ex-Serviceman’s Association Club and re-development of the site including the erection of three residential buildings of 4-storey, 6-storey and 9-storey comprising 69 flats with associated car-parking, cycle storage, landscaping and other associated works.

Reason for Refusal

The proposal is considered to constitute an overdevelopment of the site by virtue of excessive housing density, cramped layout, poor outlook for the ground floor flats, domination of car parking and hardstanding and inadequate space for landscaping. Furthermore, the applicant has failed to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that adequate car parking provision is provided on the site. The development will fail to make a positive contribution to the character of the area, will not create a strong sense of place and will provide a poor standard of amenity for future occupiers. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies EN1, H05 and CC3 of the Core Strategy and Policies DPD 2009 and Section 12 (Achieving Well Designed Places) of the National Planning Policy Framework 2019.

Additional Information:

Late correspondence had been received from the applicant agreeing to pay a contribution of £140,000 to cover the cost of improving/upgrading the existing children’s play area at the ‘pocket park’ adjoining Escot Road. However, in the absence of a payment or a completed legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the applicant had failed to comply with Policy CO3 of the Core Strategy and Policies DPD 2009.

As a consequence, the reason for refusal was to be amended and an additional reason added as follows:

Additional Reason for Refusal:

In the absence of a payment or a completed legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the applicant has failed to comply with Policy CO3 of the Core Strategy and Policies DPD 2009 in relation to the provision of new on-site space or a financial contribution towards new off-site provision or to improve existing sites to enhance their recreational value and capacity.

Public Speaking:

In accordance with the Council’s procedure for speaking at meetings, the Committee Manager read out a statement for the proposed development on behalf of Jay Patel from Pendleton & Assocs Ltd, the agent for the applicant, addressing the following areas of concern:

Overdevelopment and Layout

·         Spelthorne’s policy allows higher densities in central locations like Sunbury Cross

·         Guidance advocates 340sqm of shared amenity space which is far exceeded at ground level and the three roof gardens

·         There is no overshadowing of neighbouring properties

·         Housing space standards are met

·         Daylight and sunlight is satisfactory

·         Ground level child play space is include and a financial contribution to upgrade Escot Road Park is agreed

Inadequate Car Parking

·         Surrey County Council agree that the scheme meets its Vehicular and Cycle Parking Guidance

·         Spelthorne’s standards accept reduced parking in town centre locations

·         A green Travel Plan is proposed including a car club enabling residents to access a car without owning one. The site is within a CPZ that will prevent overspill parking  ...  view the full minutes text for item 121/21

Ward

Ashford Common

Proposal

Proposed redevelopment of site for the erection of 5 no residential units, following demolition of existing buildings.

Officer Recommendation

The application is recommended for approval subject to conditions.

Description:

Proposed redevelopment of site for the erection of 5 no. residential units, following the demolition of existing buildings.

Additional Information:

The Planning Officer’s recommendation to the Planning Committee was for the item to be deferred to enable the applicant to submit further information following late correspondence received from the Surrey Wildlife Trust regarding bats, It was proposed to bring this application before the Planning Committee in the near future.

Decision:

The Committee agree by a consensus of decisions that this item was to be DEFERRED.

Ward

Sunbury Common

Proposal

Proposed change of use of the upper floors to 8 No. residential flats including conversion of the existing first and second floors together with roof extension and rear extension, new bin store, bicycle store and parking.

Officer Recommendation

The application is recommended for approval, subject to conditions.

Description:

Proposed change of use of the upper floors to 8 No. residential flats including conversion of the existing first and second floors together with roof extension and rear extension, new bin store, bicycle store and parking.

Additional Information:

Three letters of objection had been received that were sent to the Planning Committee Members and one to the planners after the Committee updates were circulated from a resident objecting on the following grounds:

·         Loss of privacy

·         Previous planning history

·         Concerns over contact in respect of public speaking

·         The building is not in keeping with the area

·         Loss of light

·         Constitutes an overdevelopment

·         Will set a precedent for the location

Public Speaking:

In accordance with the Council’s procedure for speaking at meetings, Laura Dootson, Agent for the applicant spoke for the proposed development raising the following key points:

·         The application is a modest proposal

·         Proposal is to only convert and extend the upper floors to make 8 good size flat

·         The ground floor will remain commercial space

·         The application is in line with other properties along the Parade

·         The scheme provides larger quality flats with private amenity space

·         Car parking is provided for each flat

·         A secure bike store is provided

·         There is dense screening to the boundary

Debate:

During the debate the following key issues were raised:

·         The design of the proposed building fits in with the surrounding buildings

·         There will be no lose of light to neighbouring buildings

·         Floor space for each flat is more than adequate

·         Electric Vehicle Points in two car park spaces, would like to see more and would want this to be included as an informative is the application is agreed

·         Would like the proposed screens to side of balconies to be extended to the back of the terraces so that neighbouring properties are not overlooked

The Committee agreed by consensus that, subject to approval, an additional informative should be added as follows:

In relation to condition 4, the applicant is requested to provide all proposed parking spaces in relation to this planning permission with power supply (though feeder pillar or equivalent) to provide additional fast charge sockets.

Decision:

The application was APPROVED

To note details of the Planning appeals submitted and decisions received between 20 March 2021 and 17 April 2021.

The Chairman informed the Committee that if any Member had any detailed queries regarding the report on Appeals lodged and decisions received since the last meeting, they should contact the Planning Development Manager.

Resolved that the report of the Planning Development Manager be received and noted.

To note details of future major Planning applications.

The Planning Development Manager presented a report outlining the major applications that may be brought before the Planning Committee for determination.

Resolved that the report of the Planning Development Manager be received and noted.